Photo by Rachal Marquez
A classic quality of the Pepperdine community is their incredible affinity for musical tasks. Jam sessions crop up in every dorm, hallway and classroom, and musical aspirations are widespread. It’s common to hear a discussion about an EP or for friends to post regular videos of themselves singing while playing a ukulele. The Pepperdine mascot shouldn’t be a wave, it should be a musical note.
The resulting backlash is a Pepperdine Prob of epic proportions. Unlucky students are constantly reminded of how unmusical they remain, while the sea of amazing artists are pitted against one another.
What is with these people? How can every single person be so talented?
Not only is there a disproportionate number of harmoniously apt people, but they all seem to be incredibly hipster. There must be some sort of hidden component on the Common Application that gauges musical talent and scours Pepperdine apps for only the most hipster of all. Their wardrobes are flannel, their coffee is black and their music is wonderful. These students arrive, guitar in hand, ready to maintain the Pepperdine legacy.
There is a special place among these alternative musicians for the cajon players on campus. This small box of rhythmic potential is a baffling invention, yet nothing says indie like a drum you can sit on that still sounds incredible.
Still, the few unmusical souls are left to reconcile their role in the Pepperdine community.
A primary concern for the weary and rare unmusical student is the immense pressure involved with simply singing a round of “Happy Birthday.” The chorus of angelic fellow students singing creates an intimidating atmosphere for the unlucky non-harmonious folk.
The much-anticipated Coffeehouses on campus are like the “Hunger Games” of musical demonstration at Pepperdine. Each exceptional act is highly anticipated, and when the shows get amped up to actual competition, like the yearly choice of an opener for the Spring Concert, intensity only grows.
At these events, the widespread use of the ukulele is baffling. The only explanation is that freshman seminar classes must be teaching “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and some poor students missed that day. It leaves many non-musical students wondering how they missed the ukulele bandwagon. Is this something some kids are being taught now in place of the classic recorder? And when did the guitar go by the wayside?
The musical lifestyle at Pepperdine is a real and constant Pepperdine Prob. Every student must wrestle with their own role in this harmonious world.
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